President of Turkmenistan Meets Outgoing EU Special Representative

Ashgabat, The Gulf Observer: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met with Teri Hakala, the outgoing Special Representative of the European Union (EU) for Central Asia, on Wednesday to discuss the progress and prospects of Turkmenistan-EU relations.

During the meeting, Teri Hakala congratulated the President on International Neutrality Day, commending Turkmenistan’s role as a neutral state fostering peace and trust on regional and global stages. She also acknowledged the growing significance of EU-Turkmenistan cooperation across various fields.

President Berdimuhamedov expressed appreciation for Hakala’s remarks and highlighted the long-standing, productive partnership between Turkmenistan and the European Union. He acknowledged the success of their joint efforts in implementing regional initiatives and extended gratitude to Hakala for her personal contributions to strengthening bilateral ties.

The President also congratulated Hakala on her new appointment as Finland’s Special Representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and wished her success in her new role.

The discussions underscored the multifaceted relationship between Turkmenistan and the EU, which spans political, trade, and cultural domains. Both sides emphasized the importance of cooperation within the EU-Central Asia Dialogue and collaborative projects addressing legislation, education, ecology, and climate change.

President Berdimuhamedov reaffirmed Turkmenistan’s commitment to further deepening its partnership with the European Union, focusing on initiatives that promote socio-economic development and regional stability.

In closing, the President thanked Teri Hakala for her dedication to advancing relations and wished her continued health and success in her future endeavors.